Page 9 of Billionaire's Bookworm

I swallowed back my laughter as the woman tromped after the animal, her arms crossed in an unsuccessful attempt to achieve some modesty. One foot flashed in the moonlight, bare, the other obviously warmly snugged up in her doggie slipper. She let out a yelp when her naked foot landed on a rock, and from that point on limp-tromped.

I picked up her missing slipper and dangled it out from my finger helpfully as I waited for her to get closer. This night was turning out to be more entertaining than I bargained for. I’d only ventured outdoors for a bit of fresh air before hitting the sack. Bourbon always gave me a pleasant, relaxed buzz and I wanted to enjoy the sea breeze a bit before I called it quits for the evening.

I had no idea what I was in for.

The fiery little redhead drew closer and lifted one arm awkwardly to snatch the fuzzy slipper from my fingers.

“Thanks,” she muttered.

Dropping it to the ground, she brushed her foot against her leg to remove the sand, then slid her toes into it and glared daggers at her dog, three feet away and munching happily on the previously abandoned flower.

Shooting me an equally evil glower, she brushed by me to grab the animal by the collar a second time, muttering words under her breath I couldn’t quite make out.

Some of them were clearer than others. “Rude…kill…Porky…arrogant…mortifying,” drifted on the sea breeze, but none of them were connected enough to make much sense.

My shoulders shook with silent laughter as I watched her bumble her way back down the beach path in the direction of her bungalow, the hairy canine trotting behind her and giving a good yank every once in a while, jerking her arm behind her.

I heard a few more choice words float back on the breeze, and my shoulders shook harder. The woman’s trim, long legs flashed under her shorty shorts, and my gaze lingered with appreciation on her pert bottom again as she finally turned down the sandy path and out of sight.

My laughter faded and I stood staring up at the sky for some time, a bemused look on my face. There was something about that woman that niggled at my memory.

Something almost… familiar.

* * *

Emma

As soon asI entered my cottage, I collapsed on the couch with a groan, burying my face in the cushions. Porky jumped up beside me, giving me a questioning look before settling down with a huff. “What a night,” I mumbled into the fabric.

Who did that guy think he was, anyway? Just because he was some hotshot billionaire, didn’t mean he could just assume the worst about me because I wasn’t dressed to impress.

And damn it, why couldn’t I stop thinking about him in the first place? I shivered, recalling his deep, slightly raspy voice and those knowing eyes.

I didn’t want to care what he thought, but there was something about him that got under my skin. Worse, I honestly couldn’t decide if I wanted to slap him or kiss him.

Maybe both.

Ugh, get a grip, Emma. Time for bed.

After locking everything back up, I finally crawled between the covers, a jaw-cracking yawn almost taking me out. Porky had already made himself at home on my pillow, the twerp.

Shooting him a baleful glare, I muttered, “My current level of stress tonight is all your fault, dood. If I don’t get any sleep,you’renot getting breakfast tomorrow.”

Porky’s ears flickered, his doodle expression dripping disdain at my empty threat. He knew I could never withhold food and starve him.

Twerp. Full stop.

* * *

Sunlight peekedthrough the swaying palm trees native to Seashell Cove as I strolled down a path littered with rocks and crushed shells. Porky pranced along next to me and I grazed the top of his head with my fingers. He glanced up, his tongue lolling out of his mouth and his tail wagging with abandon.

I smiled.

Despite his midnight shenanigans, all was forgiven by the time we woke up. Porky always lifted my spirits, no matter what kind of mood I was in. He was only two years old, but I honestly couldn’t remember life without him.

We left the beach path behind and hit the boardwalk, walking past shops just beginning to open for the day. Weathered signs wobbled and creaked in the sea breeze.

We still had another hour before we opened Beachy Keen Reads. I breathed in the tangy air, soaking in the peaceful sound of crashing waves and the rustle of wind through the leaves of palm trees.

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